We’re not even six full weeks into the 2024 NFL season, and yet some of the offseason decisions that seemed bold, calculated, or even logical have already backfired. Teams that had high hopes for the season are now grappling with the consequences of their choices. From failed coaching hires to questionable contract decisions, several teams are realizing their missteps too late.
Let’s dive into some NFL offseason moves that already seem to be unraveling.
Bengals Decide Not to Pay Ja’Marr Chase Early
The Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to wait on giving Ja’Marr Chase a contract extension may have seemed like good business at the time, but it’s quickly proving to be costly. Sure, Chase has been productive—racking up 493 yards and five touchdowns on 29 catches—but waiting to extend him has already come back to haunt them.
After Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson signed a record-setting $35 million per year deal, Chase’s price tag just skyrocketed. Now, instead of potentially securing him for a figure close to A.J. Brown’s $32 million, the Bengals will have to dig even deeper into their pockets. Chase has already clarified that he plans to surpass Jefferson’s contract.In a season where Cincinnati is struggling at 1-4, Chase’s value to the offense has never been clearer. The Bengals should have locked him up early when they had the chance, avoiding what could become a massive bidding war next offseason.
Browns Replace OC Alex Van Pelt with Ken Dorsey
The Cleveland Browns are 1-4, and their offensive struggles are glaring. Replacing offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt with Ken Dorsey hasn’t paid off. The Browns rank dead last in passing efficiency and total yards, and Deshaun Watson’s performance under Dorsey has been poor.
Last year, under Van Pelt, Watson was at least serviceable. This year, he’s been worse, with a 1-4 record and numbers that suggest Cleveland’s offense is broken. The mismatch between Kevin Stefanski’s play-calling and Dorsey’s offensive system has created a disjointed offense that lacks identity. The Browns’ hopes of making the postseason are slipping away fast, and this coaching decision may have slammed their window shut.
Cowboys Decide They Can’t Afford a High-End Running Back
After their Week 3 loss to the Ravens, Jerry Jones said the Cowboys couldn’t afford Derrick Henry. But here’s the kicker—Henry only signed a two-year, $16 million deal with Baltimore, which is hardly an unmanageable sum. Dallas currently has $23.6 million in available cap space, and instead of investing in a high-caliber back, they brought back an aging Ezekiel Elliott.
As a result, the Cowboys rank 31st in rushing yards and yards per carry. While the team is 3-2, they don’t look like genuine Super Bowl contenders. The decision to go cheap in the backfield has left their offense one-dimensional and unbalanced, which could be a fatal flaw as the NFL season progresses.
Raiders Bet Big on Gardner Minshew II
The Las Vegas Raiders believed they were ready to compete after a late-2023 surge under interim coach Antonio Pierce. They brought in Gardner Minshew II to compete with Aidan O’Connell, but their QB decisions have backfired.
Sitting at 2-3, the Raiders don’t look like contenders, and they’ve alienated their star receiver, Davante Adams, who has requested a trade. The decision to avoid drafting a top QB or making a stronger push to improve their quarterback situation has left them in a rebuild without a clear direction. The Raiders may miss out on elite 2025 QB prospects, leaving them stuck in limbo for another year.
Dolphins Gamble on Tua Tagovailoa’s Health Without a Backup
Miami’s decision to extend Tua Tagovailoa with a four-year, $212.4 million contract was always risky given his injury history. But worse, they didn’t bring in a proven veteran backup in case Tua got hurt—which he did, suffering another concussion in Week 2.
With Tua out, Miami’s offense has struggled to score, managing just three, 12, and 15 points in their last three games. Without a reliable backup, the Dolphins are 2-3 and spiraling. Mike McDaniel’s offense is built around Tua’s unique skill set, and none of the backup QBs on the roster can replicate it. Miami’s playoff hopes could be in jeopardy if Tua doesn’t return soon.
Patriots Invest Little in Offensive Line and Weapons
The Patriots used the third overall pick on rookie QB Drake Maye but did little to upgrade their offensive line or receiving corps in the NFL offseason. With Trent Brown gone and minimal additions to protect their QB, the Pats have allowed 19 sacks through five games, leaving Maye under constant pressure.
On top of that, their receiving options remain limited, with K.J. Osborn and rookie Ja’Lynn Polk as the only significant additions. New England is 31st in passing efficiency, and their offense looks unprepared to support a rookie quarterback. As a result, the Patriots sit at 1-4, and Maye’s development is being hindered by a lack of help around him.
Jets Bank on a Healthy Aaron Rodgers
The Jets hoped Aaron Rodgers would be the missing piece to their offensive puzzle, and they decided to stick with head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. But five weeks in, it’s clear that this decision hasn’t worked out. The offense is still stagnant, and New York is 2-3.
Though Rodgers is an upgrade over Zach Wilson, the Jets’ offense remains uninspiring. Hackett’s offenses struggled with Denver in 2022 and now with New York. With Rodgers aging and still not at his prime form, the Jets’ decision to avoid significant changes during the NFL offseason haunts them.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded Haason Reddick in the offseason, believing they could replace his production with Bryce Huff. That move already looks like a huge mistake. Reddick, who had 27 sacks over two seasons with Philly, is sorely missed, while Huff has produced zero sacks and just one quarterback pressure.
The Eagles’ defense has suffered, ranking near the bottom in yards per pass attempt allowed and struggling to get after opposing quarterbacks. At 2-2, the Eagles have lost games they could’ve won with a better pass rush, proving that trading Reddick was a costly misstep.
